Machine for parking automobiles



March 11, 1958 cs. FRANCIS 2,826,312

MACHINE FOR PARKING AUTOMOBILES Filed Feb. 8, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 28 26 20 7 5 1o 9 l0 9 l0 9 x A% #3027 30K;

A r TORNEYS March 11,1958 G. FRANClS MACHINE FOR PAgKING AUTOMOBILES Filed Feb. 8, 1955 s She ets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. GEOFFREY FRANCIS 16m ATTORNEYS,

March 11, 1958 G. FRANCIS 2,326,312 MACHINE FOR PARKING AUTOMOBILES Filed Feb. 8, 1955 asheets-sneet 5 A T TORNE Y S United States Patent tion, Inc., San Francisco, Calif-, a corporation of California Application February 8, 1955, Serial No. 486,871

1 Claim. (Cl. 214-16.1)

This invention relates to an improved machine and method for parking automobiles, and is particularly related to a machine and method for parking automobiles in vertically aligned tiers.

This invention is particularly adaptable for use upon narrow elongated areas such as those which have widths as narrow as twice the width of the automobiles to be parked.

One object of this invention is to provide a parking machine and method useful in narrow width areas, but utilizing a minimum of expensive machinery and structural members.

Another object of this invention is to provide a parking machine and method wherein an automobile may be parked by either a simple transverse movement or a simple vertical and transverse movement from its longitudinal axis without the necessity for complicated vehicle shifting means, shuttle cars and the like.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a parking machine utilizing a plurality of vehicle supporting transfer tables, one of which is movable in a transverse direction and at least one of which is movable in a vertical as well as a transverse direction, and upon each of which the vehicle is supported during the parking interval. Y a

A further object of the invention is to provide a parking machine in which the various parking elements are nestable with respect to each other.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention will become apparent from an understanding of the accompanying drawings, the following written description, and the appended claims.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a single machine or nest used in a selected embodiment of the applicants invention arranged for parking three motor vehicles showing the nest uninstalled;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, illustrating an embodiment of the invention for parking two automobiles showing the nest installed in a concerete foundation;

Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of a vertically and laterally movable transfer table used in the nest, il-

lustrated generally in the right-hand portion of Figures 1 and 2, and showing some of the parts broken away for clarity;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a laterally movable transfer table used in the nest and illustrated in the left hand'portions of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, but showing the parking elements arranged in positions different from those illustrated in Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a schematic end view of the parking element illustrated in the right-hand side of Figure 2, illustrating its mode of operation;

, Figure 7 is a schematic end view of the parking elecross beams 5 (see Fig. 8). 14 which nearly embrace the exterior faces of the side ice ment illustrated in the left hand side of Figure 2, illus-' trating its mode of operation; I I

Figure 8 is a partial cross-sectional view taken on the line 8 8 of Figure 2 and 4 Figure 9 is a view of a portion of Figure 8 illustrating one modification of the device.

Basically, applicants parking nest comprises a plural ity of nestable transfer tables, one of which is arranged for lateral movement only, and at least one of which is arranged for both lateral and vertical movement. It will become apparent from an understanding of the specification that the applicants combination of transfer tables provides a maximum of parking ability at a minimum of ground area and construction expense.

The mechanical structure of the applicants device in its uninstalled form is illustrated in Figure 1. In Figure 1, there is shown a laterally movable transfer table 1, a

one highvertically movable and laterally movable trans-- fer table 2, and a two high vertically movable and laterally movable transfer table 3.

The laterally movable transfer table 1 includes an elongated channel member 4, making up the backbone of the transfer table. There is secured to each end of the backbone 4 a cross beam 5 (see Figure 4) having an L-shaped cross section. These cross beams 5 form supports at either end of the backbone 4, and each is provided with two flanged wheels 6. The wheels 6 mate with and are embraced within side rails 7 of the parking.

unit (see Figures 1 and 7). As illustrated, these side rails 7 are channel members, each on its lower flange 8, and the parts are so arranged that the rims of the wheels 6 ride upon the lower flange 8 of each of the channel rails 7.

Means are provided on the transfer table 1 for supporting the wheels of a motor vehicle to be parked upon the device. In the illustrated embodiment, these means comprise a plurality of T-bearns 9 (Figure 4), in which the cross member 10 of the respective T-beams is positioned upwardly, and is secured to the lower surface of the backbone 4 of the transfer table. The length of each of the T-beams 9 shouldbe approximately 8 ft., which is more than the widest tread of passenger automobiles now in current use. The distance 11a between the most interiorly arranged beams 9 is aproximately 6 ft., which is less than the shortest wheel base of passenger vehicles now in general use. exteriorly arranged beams 9 is approximately 14'feet, which is more than the longest wheel base of passenger vehicles now in general use.

The laterally movable transfer table 1 of the illustrative embodiment, together with the side rails 7, is shown mounted in a concrete foundation 12 (Figs. 2 and 8). This concrete foundation 12 is provided with a pair of longitudinal slots 13 for each pair of side rails 7 and Bach slot 13 has side walls rail 7 and the cross beam 5. Clearance is provided between the cross-beam 5 and its associated side wall 14 to permit movement of the transfer table. Similarly, slots 15 are provided for the stems of each-of the T-bearns 9. The sides 16 of each of these slots nearly embrace the opposite faces of each of the stems of its mating T- beam 9, and with clearance being provided to permit movement of the transfer table.

Means are also provided for moving the transfer table 1 laterally upon the side rails 7. These means (not il'r lustrated) may be manual, or, within the skill of a mechanic in the art, may be any prime mover such as an electric motor or an hydraulic ram.

The applicants combination also includes the two' high vertically and laterally movable transfer table 2;

The distance 11b between the most (Figs. 1, 2, 3, S and 6). Theftransfer table 2 includes an elongated channel member 17, making up the back-bone of the transfer table 2 and substantially similar to channel emb r 4 of th la crallvm vahle ran f r-table 1-. Shhilarly, transfer table 2 includes If-beams 13 substantially similar to the T-beams 9 of transfertable 1 The channel member 17' is mounted forvertical hoisting movement upon a substantially L-shaped bracket 19. The L-shaped bracket 19 has, a horizontally disposed leg 20 and a vertically disposed leg 21. The horizontally dis posed leg 20 has a generally L'-shaped cross-section as appears in Fig. 3, and the member 17 issecured to the upper surface of the horizontal web 22 of the element20.

The vertical leg 21 of the bracket 19 is formed in the shape of a channel, and is provided with two flanged wheels 23 rotatably secured to the web 24 of said member 21 see Figs. 3 and The rims of the wheels 23, in turn, run within a vertically disposed channel shaped column 25. The lower end ofthe column 25 is secured to one end of a horizontally disposed channel shaped traveler 26. This traveler 26, in turn, is provided with a pair of flanged wheels 27 substantially similar to the flanged wheels 6' provided for the transfer table 1. These flanged Wheels 27 are carried within a pair of channel shaped rails 28 which are substantially similar to the channel rails 7, associated with the transfer table 1.

The rail 28, the traveler 26, and the horizontal leg of the L-shaped bracket 19 are meunted within a slot- 29in the concrete foundation 1-2 (see Fig. 8). Thesides 30 of the slot 29- are nearly adjacent the outer surfaces ofjthemember 28 and the member 2Q, in a manner quite similar to the mode in which the sides 14 of theslot 13 are nearly adjacent the members 5 and 7 of transfer table 1. Similarly, clearance is provided for the members 20 and 26.

Means are provided to stabilize the transfer table 2 against a tipping movement. These means find their embodiment in the arrangement of the elements'rnalting up the transfer table. The horizontal leg 20 and the horizontal traveler 26 are arranged in parallelism with one another and tipping movement is prevented through the cooperation of the left hand wheel= 27 (Fig. 3) with the upper flange of the channel member 28, and the cooperation of the right hand wheel 27 (Fig. 3) with the lower flange of the channel 28. Similarlyflhe lower wheel 23* (Fig. 3) finds its reaction against the left flange of col umn 25 (Fig. 3), whereas the upper wheel 25 reads against the right hand flange of said memberZS.

Means are-provided for raising and lowering thetransfer table 2. These means include a pair of winches 31. Cables 32 are secured. tothe upper end: ofeach. of the vertical legs 21', and are Wound upon the winches 31. Power for the winches 31 is obtained from an electric motor 33, which powers acommon drive shaft 34- fo'r the two winches 31.

Finally, a top brace 35 is secured to the upperend of vertical columns 25 to lend fur-ther stability to the structure.

In the selected embodiment of the invention, the brackets 19, vertical columns 25, travelers 26 and the rails 28 are mounted exteriorly beyond the furthermost lengthwise dimension ofthe transfer table 1, and its associated elements. By providing such an arrangement, the transfer table 1 and its associated elements are nested within the transfer table 2 and its associated elements when the two transfertables arernoved to their parked position.

Means similar to those used for efieeting the lateral movement of table '1 are provided forla-teral movement of transfer table 2.

It will be observed that the spacing of the T-beams 18 is identical with the spacing of the F-beams 9. In this way, the T-beams 18 will matewith the same slots 15in the foundation 12, as is t-he case with T-beams 9 of transfer table 1.

The three high transfer table 3 is identical with the two high transfer table 2, with the exceptions hereinafter noted, and the elements are similarly numbered carrying a sufiix a. The differences between the two transfer tables is that the elements 20a, 26a, 23a and 29a associated with the three high transfer table are located exteriorly of the outermost limits of the structure making up transfer table} The other distinction is that the vertical column 25a of transfer table 3 is one car height higher h n the erti al col mn 2.5 f ra sfe table Having thus described the structure of the applicants improved embodiment, the mode of operation becomes clean A rh hr whisk i r en up th am 3 of the concrete slab 12 to a position where the wheels of the vehicle rest on the cross members 13 of the T-beams of the transfer table 2 (see Fig. 2, and see also position A in Fig. 6). Power is then supplied to the motor 33 and e t ansfer ta le s l fted 12 th erti al. ol mn 25 to pqsi B. h W i Fi The thc hehsfhrtehlslh moved tatsra l -tq ther ih hg P Siti n sleti n t d C i Fig. 6. Transfer table 2 and its parked automobile are ow in the P9 iQ 1 illustrated. i Fi o rk 4 0 her ar ar h t e e t h tran fe a e 1 q ed. a .l em th p it qh. lu rated in Fi 2 to position A illustrated in Fig. 7. A car is driven upon ransfer ab e 1 in exa l he s m ma n a a r ha b en drive 9E t e rans er a l Tra fer table 1 is han hl qd. lhttzal y to. slhttsd. l ne nos t en B, llustrated in Fig. 7'. The elements are now in the position us rat d for. transfe ta les. 1 and 2 n h s- 1, i a arre lt d an ho thetah tasired to park a third ear within the park.- ua t t t e pei h l ate ihEia. 1 a 2hr .4 29 transfe a l d the Car is i e a s mar h h s-ral thrp Ph 'h oh B d. QQQPiLQ Sl B P e 6.

T9. .I. 9?. av hiale. th mq sm t ss-srih b ve are reversed, and the ear may be driven ofi the transfer table.

It will be observed thatparking units of the type illus: a ed in the p efsrrcd; embodim nt e ithi ihvehiihh may be mounted within very narrow width limits. Since the applicants unit doe lQl re uire a r atable mov en with respect to any of the ears being parked, thisadvantage results no matter how rnany cars high the unit might be. It will also beapparent that a car may be parked upon any available transfer table or removed from any position without circulating or otherwise interfering with the remaining transfer tables making up a unit. Finally, it will appear that the elements so eooperate that no central motive force isrequired, thereby eliminating comp t -dow n he event, of damage or inj y t a part of the structure or structures forming a complete inth atihh.

It w l of ourse. e ObYiQ l t hes s led in the art that within the strength limits of the materials used, additional vertically and horizontally movable transfer tables similar to transfer tables 2 and 3 may be provided for a Park hs It wil ha be am h pa s to those skilled in the art that similar nests may be placed in end to endrelationship to increase the capacity of the parking facility. Furthermore, by a reversal of form, similar units may be placed on opposite sides of the same loading areato increase capacity.

It is. also apparentthat bridging meanscan. be supplied to cover the horizontaltravelers 26 and 2611, thereby rel P the overal @29 h heh ch of th lo 2 a th thrh t v mhh hhhnt illust n his P P a pears in Fig, 9 ln thisembodiment, a horizontal traveler 26b is provided having a lesser height than the travelers 26 h 2 6 A beam 23b i rhvisisd h n h up e web 37' overlying the upper surface of the horizontal traveler 26b.

Having thus described a selected embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that changes may be made in the specific structure without departing from the spirit of the invention, the invention being defined in the appended claim.

I claim:

A parking nest including a first transfer table for supporting a vehicle, first horizontally disposed guide means, first carriage means for carrying said first transfer table upon said first guide means, said first transfer table and said first carriage means being laterally shiftable from a loading station to a first parking station, a second transfer table for supporting a vehicle, second horizontally disposed guide means, second carriage means for carrying said second transfer table on said second guide means, said second carriage means including vertically disposed support means and means for carrying said second transfer table upon said vertically disposed support means, said second guide means, said second carriage means andsaid support means being extended outwardly beyond the greatest longitudinal dimension of said first transfer table, said first guide means and said first carriage means, said second carriage means being laterally shiftable from said loading station to a second parking station and said second transfer table being vertically shiftable upon said vertically disposed support means from said loading station to said second parking station, said loading station for said first transfer table and said loading station for said second transfer table being a common station, said first parking station being disposed in the same vertical plane as said second parking station, and said second parking station being disposed in a horizontal plane above the horizontal plane of said first loading station whereby said first transfer table is shiftable laterally from said loading station to said first parking station and said second transfer table is shiftable vertically and laterally from said loading station to a second parking station in the same vertical plane as that of said first parking station and in a horizontal plane located above the horizontal plane of said first parking station.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

